Happy New Year, SCC family!
I wish and pray every one of you had a wonderful time with family and friends during this past Christmas season and are now ready to face the exciting 2020 year ahead of us. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been getting the feeling that this year is and has to be unique in many ways.
Just listening to the simple term “2020” makes me/us connect with the word “vision.” Yes, we all know that the optometrists use this term to determine if we have a sharp and clear vision or if we need glasses to correct any variation. (For a more in-depth understanding of this medical term, just Google “20/20 vision”).
I'll Tell The World
I'll tell the world, that I'm a Christian,
I'm not ashamed, His name to bear;
I'll tell the world, that I'm a Christian,
I'll take Him with me anywhere.
I'll tell the world, how Jesus saved me,
and how He gave me a life brand new;
And I know that if you trust Him,
that all He gave me, He'll give to you.
I'll tell the world, that He's my Savior,
No other one, could love me so;
My life, my all is His forever,
and where He leads me, I will go.
For when He comes, and life is over,
For those who love Him there's more to be;
Eyes have never seen the wonders,
That He's preparing, for you and me.
Oh, tell the world, that you're a Christian,
Be not ashamed, His name to bear;
Oh tell the world, that you're a Christian,
And take Him with you anywhere.
But, this year being 2020, I strongly sense that I need to have a sharper and clearer vision for my personal life, my family life and my conference church life.
As president of this conference, I’m responsible for setting and fostering the vision of this conference family. Our vision for this new quinquennium 2019-2024 is “Embracing Community in Christ.” (Read more in the upcoming February issue of the Pacific Union Recorder.)
How can we embrace others in Christ and let them be part of the community of believers in Christ? Paul the Apostle wrote in Romans 10:14: “But how shall they ask him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (TLB).
Oh! I got it friends! So, my New Year’s Resolution for 2020 is to “Tell the World That I’m a Christian” and treat them as Jesus would treat them. I invite you to join me this year to follow more intentionally this counsel from Saint Paul of telling others about Jesus and exalt Him as our Savior.
Yes, this is also the title of a beautiful and famous song composed by Baynard L. Fox in 1963. Read and reflect on his words. If you want to listen to a beautiful arrangement between this song and “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus,” just click here.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- SCC Day of Prayer: Save the date for Sabbath, January 25, 2020, at the Spanish American SDA Church. All are invited to come and seek the Lord’s blessing as we begin a new year.
- General Pastors Meeting: Monday, February 24, 2020, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Vallejo Drive church.
- State of the Conference: All SCC employees, Monday, February 24, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Vallejo Drive church.
- Annual Pastors' Retreat: This event starts Sunday, March 1 at noon and ends Tuesday, March 3 at noon. The retreat will take place at Pine Springs Ranch.
Your fellow traveler,
Velino A. Salazar
President
Southern California Conference